Arcane: Vander X Male! Topsider! Reader

Part 3

you groaned as you dumped the wooden crate onto the table in front of you, grabbing the metal bracelets and clipping them to your wrists, making sure they were secure before flipping out the spikes, the sleek metal glistening as you stared down, Finlay turning your attention to the crate, pulling your fists up in front of you before swinging, the crate splintered into pieces, the wood scraps scattering across the floor, nails going flying as you had predicted "test number forty-three: successful..." you mumbled to yourself as you sauntered over to the bench and picked up the pencil, writing notes on a small pad of paper, this test was the final one you would run, having been satisfied with the results. You grabbed the broom that rested gently on a chair and began sweeping up the debris, making sure to scour every corner for splinters and nails, once the scrap was in a neat pile you flipped the bracelets back to the 'social mode' and left the workshop to grab a waste bag so you could safely get rid of all the debris. Whilst you were waiting at the counter with which they hand out these bags you spotted a newspaper, the headline read 'Undercity becoming restless as four citizens jailed for the attempted murder of a student at Piltover Academy' You groaned and facepalmed, you knew word spread down there but not this Fast, you knew that this could end in two ways, mass murder of students, or undercity denizens blocked from entering piltover, both sounding as horrible as each other, you knew that the ban of entry would spark outrage, but the murders would cause enforcers to become more violent. 

You were handed the bag and made your way back, shutting the door quickly as you grabbed the broom "what kind of invention could cause this much mess" you nearly dropped everything you were holding, a young man with a cane stood against the bench, his hair was a lovely hazelnut brown color, his eyes an amber as smooth as honey, pale skin with beauty marks across his face, flipping through your notes, you looked at him dumbfounded "who even are you? why are you going through my notes" you asked, slightly lost as he closed the book and gently placed it down "I'm Viktor, assistant to the dean of the academy" now it made sense why he was looking through your notes, he was probably sent to make sure you're not doing anything illegal, especially after what happened yesterday, you cleared your throat and put on a smile "my apologies, allow me to explain, I have crafted some self-defense weapons due to my assault yesterday, just to keep myself safe" he nodded "may I see the weapons, just to make sure you won't harm anyone at the academy with them" you smiled and rolled your sleeves up "gladly" you flexed your wrists and watched as he raised a brow at the spikes "impressive..." he mumbled to no one in particular, you nodded as he moved forward, taking your wrist in his hand and turning your arm, looking at the mechanical elements.

"Everything seems to be safe and their concealable.... very well" he offered you a slight smile as he dropped your arm "Everything seems to be in order" He took one final once over of your workshop before walking towards the door, giving you a small wave before leaving, you smile dropped as you huffed, you hated people being in your workshop whilst you weren't there, plus he looked through your personal belongings! you begin to sweep the pieces of wood into the bag your mind racing with thoughts, mainly hate-filled ones about how he should have waited for you to return. At once the Chips of wood were in the bag, and you were finally allowed to relax, staring out of the window at the grand city below you, and just beyond that was the undercity, you thought 'I haven't gone out for a drink in a while, plus I do have these now..." you looked down at your wrist, the silver shining in the light, finally you decided to go for it, you felt safer with these, plus you really looked like you were from the undercity now, your split lip and bloody nose had turned a deep purple, your face still slightly swollen. So, you dragged the bag of wood chips outside and to the designated collection area and swiftly returned to your apartment. Once you arrived you styled your hair and put on some suitable clothes, once you looked at yourself in the mirror, you looked like you had just fallen down a flight of stairs and not gotten back up, you gave a quick stroke to Julius "anyone enters other than me, maul them" he barked as you stood up, heading for the door.

**In the under city**

You walk through the crowded, smog filled streets of the undercity once more, walking with a slight of confidence, not too much to stand out but enough to show you knew where you were going. Your eyes scan the many signs until they land on one attached to a familiar tavern, 'the last drop', the place that dragged you into all the trouble you were in now, you hold back a smile as I walk through the wooden door and straight to the bar, sitting down on a stool as you look up at that charming face "oh your back! I woulda expected your little life or death to make you fear our streets..." his deep brassy voice fills your ears as you chuckle and shake your head, he chuckles in turn and nods "alright lad, what can I get ya? same as last time?" he asks with a kind smile, the corners of his eyes wrinkling, making him look almost fatherly at you. "if you may, thank you" you speak with far more comfort and ease than last time, making him raise a brow and chuckle as he retrieves your drink, he slides it over to you and takes a rag from his belt as you begin sipping at the bitter beverage "so..." he begins, clearing his throat to catch your attention "why's a piltie back here after nearly gettin' stabbed?" he asks, glancing over at you. You smile as you look down at your drink, your eyes drifting to the sleek silver around your wrists "I don't know entirely, maybe I needed a drink, maybe I wanted to see your charming face again" you chuckle as you raise the glass to your lips and take a swig, he laughs and shakes his head.

"ya' got guts, lad... what's your name?" he asks, leaning on the bar across from you, smiling as he speaks, a friendly yet oh so intimidating aura around him, you put your hand out and he gingerly takes it, shaking it with his callous, strong hand that practically engulfs yours "Y/N, and yours?" you ask, feigning ignorance to his name, or the crimes he had committed in the past, he chuckles and retracts his hand, scratching his beard as he shifts slightly, crossing his arms on the bar "Vander... hound of the underground" he speaks with a smirk, like he just knew you knew already. You nod and smile "it's a pleasure to meet you, Vander, I must say I like your establishment, I used to hear stories that the underground was more... violent..." you comment, your smile never wavering, yet his faulters slightly "ah... yeah we have a reputation down here... but it's not all true, y'know..." he mumbles, you nod, understanding why that would possibly upset the man who basically ran the place "sure there a few thus that would rather bash in an enforces skull than talk it out but hey, that's just the way of the world" he explains, shrugging slightly, you nod in understanding "i get it, there are some piltovians that would rather we simply wall the undercity off and be done with it... though I believe we should welcome more of you up north, be more hospitable to the less fortunate" you say quietly, smiling as you sip your drink, Vander chuckles and shakes his head, "Well then you're obviously a rare one then, aint ya'?" he chuckles, making you laugh as you finish your drink, motioning for him to pour you another, he nods and pours more of the bitter liquid into the glass "y'know I like you... and I don't say that generously" Vander says as he pours himself a glass of whiskey, taking a drink as he speaks with you.

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